Imphal, June 9: The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) condemned the heinous attack on Friday at Manipur’s Khoken village by Meitei militants disguised in Army uniform.

The Meitei militants on Friday disguised in Army uniforms and using Army vehicles attacked the village in early morning.

The ITLF statement said that “the Kuki-Zo villagers, unsuspecting of the attackers’ true identity and assuming it was an Army combing operation, gave way but were instead met with automatic rifle fire, resulting in the tragic deaths of Jangpao Touthang, Khaimang Guite and Domkhohoi. Two others, Thongneh, and Thangkhojang, were also injured in the attack. Domkhohoi was saying her early morning prayer in the church when these militants shot her dead, with no regard for the sanctity of a place of worship”.

Also, the use of Army uniforms and vehicles by militants raises serious concerns about the source of their equipment and the potential involvement of external forces.

The ITLF strongly condemned the act of violence and calls upon the Central Government of India to take swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“This attack is yet another example of the utter disregard shown by the Meitei militants, separatist mobs, radicalized groups like Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun, and the Meitei-centric State Government for the 15-day peace call made by Union Minister of Home Amit Shah. Such actions only serve to undermine the efforts of those heeding the Minister’s call for peace,” the ITLF statement said.

The statement further said, “Since this is not the first time the Meitei have shown total disregard to the Union Ministers’ plea, we urge the authorities to take swift and decisive action,”.

The ITLF also expressed its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.

ITLF also stated, “We stand in solidarity with the people of Khoken village during this challenging time. As a community, we are fully committed to taking any necessary action, even if it requires us to consistently make the ultimate sacrifice to prevent the ongoing attacks and ethnic cleansing of the Kuki-Zo population by the Meiteis.”

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